Dispensing device



March l?, 1959 R. M. wooD DISPENSING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June16, 1955 7 INVENTOR /ana/d/7Z (//oo al ATTORNEY VIC March 17, 1959 R. M.woon 2,877,812

DISPENSING DEVICE Filed June 16, 1955 2 sheets-sheet y2 ml ,f 2 l a l'all `\li I3 H l l'a' j le:

United The present invention relates to an improvement in a dispensingunit which is primarily designed to the dispensing of liquids and isparticularly adapted to withdrawing liquid into ppettes or othersuitable containers.

The unit is particularly advantageous in withdrawing chemicals or othersubstances in small amounts frombulk containers without the danger ofcoming into personal contact with the contents.

One object of the invention is to provide such` a unit that will beeconomically manufactured and simple in its use.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a unit in which smallamounts of predetermined quantities of liquid may be accuratelywithdrawn.

A further object of the invention is to provide such aI unit in whichpredetermined amounts of liquid may be withdrawn from, or added to, thebulk with a minimum chance of spillage.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means whereby thewithdrawing of the liquid is accomplished with a minimum of mechanicaloperation.

While the general objects of the invention have been set forth, itsuniqueness consists of certain novel features of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts as will be moreapparent as the nature of the invention is more fully disclosed which isdescribed in the following description and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary sectional view of an unsealed unitillustrating a pipette in position to receive a portion of the contentsfrom the unit. v

. Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view ofthe unit similar to thatshown in Figure 1 showing the unit normally sealed.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View of a modified form ofthe invention.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of of a furthermodification of the invention.

Figure 5 is a view in elevation on a reduced scale of the unit andpipette illustrating the manner in which the liuid is withdrawn from theunit.

In referring to the drawings, like reference numerals are used to pointout like and similar parts throughout the several views. 4

The unit consists principally of a resilient compressible container, orbottle, having a short neck including an aperture therethrough and aninsert fixedly secured within the aperture in the bottle neck throughwhich the contents of the bottle are extracted.

f The unit as illustrated comprisesl an elastic container, or bottle,having a neck 10 and an aperture located at its outer end which maybei-eferredto later as the mouth of the bottle. The bottle is preferablyconstructed of one of the plastics, such as polyethylene, or the like.

Referring in particular to Figures l and 2, the mouth of the bottle isprovided with a close fitting insert, or liquid transfer device whichconsists of a main body portion 11 and an upper ange 11 extendingovertheouter .vv

j 2,877,812 Patented Mar. 17,

surface of the neck 10'. The member 11 also is constructed preferably ofan elastic compressible plastic such as polyethlene, or the like, and isprovided with an opening or well, as shown at 12, extending inwardly topsurface in the form of a cone. This cone, or flare shaped opening ispreferably greater than the taper ofl the lower end of the pipette orother members to be used in the withdrawal of the liquid. This well ispart of a center liquid opening 13 extending inwardly from the uppersurface of the insert toward the interior of the bottle. The member 11is provided with a shoulder 11 surrounding the opening 13 and a collar14 is fixed about the shoulder. The collar extends beyond the shoulder11" and is adapted to embrace the upper end of a hollow tube 15 whichextends from the shoulder 11" of the member 11 to a point adjacent thebottom of the container, as shown in Figure l. Extending from the lowerend of the well 12 to the top of the openingf,

the lower end of a pipette designated by the number 20 for withdrawingthe liquid. It will be noted that the end of the pipette snugly fits thearea 12.

16. This air passage extends from the area 12 to the areai of the bottleneck which is above the upper level of the liquid and is shownterminating at the bottom of the member 11 at 16'. The end of the airpassage enter ing the area 12 is preferably at right angles tothe sidewall to insure its stoppage by the pipette when the pipette is insertedin the liquid transfer device element, as shown in Figure l.

In Figure 2 the bottle is shown fully sealed which is the normal methodof sealing the bottle when withdrawals are not being made. The bottle isprovided preferably with a screw cap 17 having an annular ring 17 tocontact the upper side of the member 11 to holdit downwardly into themouth of the bottle. To prevent the liquid from moving up the hollowtube 15, or the air passage 16, there is provided a stopper 18. This Istopper is particularly designed for closing the opening 13 and the airpassage 16. The stopper is provided with-- tapered walls 18 adapted tolit the walls of the well and the portion 18" of the'stopper is adaptedto iit, the area 12 to close the opening 16. The outer end 18 is adaptedto fit within a centered recess 17" of the cap. When the cap 17 isscrewed down upon the bottle neck, the stopper will be forced into thewell l n; provide a flexible lip portion 12".

and the area 12' to completely cut off opening 13 and the air passage16.

Figure 3 is a modilied form of the invention. In this form there is anannular under-cut 21 in the area 12' to The diameter of the area 12" isslightly less than the corresponding portion of this area in Figure l.When the tapered end of adjacent these two edges.

fore, it is also' closed off from Vthe atmosphere bygthe4 action of thedepressed pipette.

' structure is substantially the same as that described for' the formshown in lFigure l.

Figure 4 is still a further modified form in which The body,

element 11 may be constructed in twovparts. portion ofl.. tlie`rnember11 i s 4shown withaslightly;

Extending out wardly from this second tapered area 12 is an air passageThe remainder .off-the:

enlarged well 22 having a rounded shoulder 23 about its lower innersurface and an annular recessed portion 23 below the shoulder area.AOver the outer end of the member 11 is an outer member 24. This member,or portion, may be made integral with the member l1 or secured theretoby a suitable adhesive. This member 24 is also provided with a well 24the sides of which are substantially exible. The inner, or lower, end24" of the well extends below the shoulder 23 and ends substantiallyopposite the annular recess 23. When the pipette is inserted, the lowerend 24" of the wall 24 is first contacted by the tapered end of thepipette. By pressing downwardly on the pipette the end 24" will be movedin contact with the shoulder 23 and seal off the well 22. As the airpassage 16 opens into the upper portion of the well 22 it likewise willbe shut off from the outer well 24 and to the atmosphere.

The use of the unit is illustrated in Figure 5. When it is desired towithdraw any of the contents from the container or bottle 1t), the cap17 and the stopper 18 are removed. The pipette is then inserted in thewell. If the element 11 is of the construction as shown in Figures 1 and2, the tapered end 20 of the pipette upon slight pressure will moveagainst the upper end of the air passage 16 sealing it off from theatmosphere. The container or bottle is then compressed to reduce theinside area of the bottle, or compressed air may be directed into theupper portion of the container or bottle by any of the well-knowndevices (not shown) and as the area above the liquid is sealed off bythe closing of the air passage 16, the liquid will move up the tube 15into the pipette. When a sufficient amount has been withdrawn the fingeris placed over the top of the pipette and the pipette removed. Bystopping the upper end of the pipette the liquid will remain in thepipette for transferring the liquid to another container. When thepipette is removed and the air passage 16 is opened to the pressure ofthe atmosphere, the liquid in the tube 15 will move to the level of theliquid in the container. This operation may be repeated until the liquidcontents in the bottle have been exhausted.

The operation is substantially the same regardless of the form used. Theonly difference being in the manner in which the air passage 16 to theatmosphere is closed o, which has been previously described.

While several modified forms of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed in detail, other forms of the invention may become apparent toone skilled in the art after becoming familiar with the generalprinciples set out herein. Therefore, the invention is not to be limitedto the particular structural details shown, but what is claimed as newand desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: l

1. A liquid dispenser comprising, in combination, a closed collapsibleresilient liquid container having an opening in its top, a liquidtransfer device comprising an upper body portion tightly fitted withnthe opening of the closed container and an elongated lower porticnextending downwardly into the container to a point adjacent the bottomthereof, a liquid passage extending longitudinally through the upperbody portion and the elongated lower portions of the liquid transferdevice, a separable liquid receiving means connective to the outer endof the liquid passage in the upper body portion, the liquid passagethrough the upper body portion and the elongated lower portion of theliquid transfer device providing a passage for liquid from the bottom ofthe container to a point outside the container, the upper body portionof the liquid transfer device having an inde'- pendent air passagetherethrough, the air passage extending through the upper body portionhaving one end communicating with the liquid passage and its other endterminating within the container adjacent the upper end thereofproviding a free air passage from the top of the container `totheatmosphere when the'liquid receiving means is disconnected from theliquid transfer device, the liquid receiving means cpmmunicating withthe outer end of the liquid passage and closing the air passage when inits connected position, whereby the liquid will be forced through theliquid passage of the liquid transfer device into the liquid receivingmeans when pressure is applied to the container by collapsing the same.

2. A combination container and liquid dispenser cornprising, incombination, an elastic collapsible closed resilient container having anopen mouth therein, a liquid transfer device having a body portionfitted tightly into the mouth of the container and a portion of theliquid transfer device extending downwardly into the container to apoint adjacent the bottom thereof, the liquid transfer device having acontinuous liquid passage extending therethrough from the end adjacentthe bottom of the container to the outer end thereof through which theliquid in the container is dispensed, the wall of the liquid passage inthe outer end of the body portion of the liquid transfer device beingflared outwardly from a point inwardly from the outer surface of thebody portion, a separate liquid receiving means having one endconnective with the flared end of the liquid transfer device, the bodyportion of the liquid transfer device having a normally open air passageseparated from the liquid passage leading from the flared outer end ofthe body portion to the interior of the container, the end of the airpassage terminating in the flared area of the liquid passage beingnormally open to atmospheric pressure and so positioned there as to beclosed to the atmosphere by the end of the liquid receiving means whenconnected to the liquid passage in the outer ared end of the liquidopening, whereby the liquid will be forced through the liquid passage ofthe liquid transfer device into the liquid receiving means when pressureis applied to the container by collapsing the elastic container.

3. A liquid dispenser for pipettes comprising, in combination, a closedcollapsible resilient liquid container having an opening in its top, aliquid transfer device comprising an upper body portion tightly fittedwithin the opening of the closed container and an elongated lowerportion extending downwardly into the container to a point adjacent thebottom thereof, a liquid passage extending longitudinally through thebody portion and the elongated lower portion through which the liquidpasses from the container, a pipette connective to the outer end of theliquid passage in the upper body portion, the upper body portion of theliquid transfer device having an independent air passage therethrough,the air passage having one end communicating with the liquid passage andthe other end opening within the container for providing a free airpassage from the container to the atmosphere when the pipette isdisconnected from the liquid transfer device, the pipette communicatingwith the outer end of the liquid passage and closing the air passagewhen in its connected position, whereby the liquid will be forcedthrough the liquid passage of the liquid transfer device into thepipette when pressure is applied to the container by collapsing thesame.

4. A liquid dispenser comprising, in combination, a closed collapsibleresilient liquid container having an opening in its top, a liquidtransfer device comprising an upper body portion tightly fitted withinthe opening of the closed container and an elongated lower portionextending downwardly into the container to a point adjacent the bottomthereof, a liquid passage extending longitudinally through the upperbody portion and the elongated lower portion, a separable liquidreceiving means connective to the outer end of the liquid passage 1n theupper body portion, the liquid passage through the upper body portionand the elongated lower portion of the liquid transfer device providinga passage for the liquid from the bottom of the container to a pointoutside the container, the upper body portion having an independent airpassagetherethrough, the air passage having one end communicating withthe liquid passage and its other end opening within the container forproviding a free air passage from the crrttainer to the atmosphere whenthe liquid receiving means is disconnected from the liquid transferdevice, the upper end of the air passage being located inwardly from theouter end of the liquid passage in the upper body portion and in theform of a .circular opening surrounding the liquid passage, the circularopening communicating with the liquid passage and extending outwardly,substantially laterally from the upper end of the liquid passage forminga dependent resilient lip spaced inwardly from the outer end of theliquid passage and above the circular upper end of the air opening, thelip being movable downwardly to close the air passage to the atmosphereby the liquid receiving means when connected to the liquid transferdevice, the liquid receiving means communicating with the resilient lipprovided within the upper body portion, closing the air passage when inits connected position, whereby the liquid will be forced through theliquid passage of the liquid transfer device into the liquid receivingmeans when pressure is applied to the container by collapsing the same.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS131,695 Mason Sept. 24, 1872 6 Molin Feb. 26, Turner Sept. l1, SeitzAug. 27, Richardson Dec. 12, Brewington Sept. 26, Rivas Jan. 21, Carmeret al, Dec. 8, McConnell Oct. 29, Bednarowicz Dec. 30, Struever Apr. 7,Nickels Apr. 7, Dunnock Nov. 2, Lorenz June 4, Flournoy I an. 7,Latremore Jan. 29, Ferdinand Sept. 6, Pottenger Oct. 11, England Mar. 9,Stephens Ian. 9, Huber Mar. 27, McKelvy July 12, Schopmeyer Nov. 28,Zepelovitch May 18,

FOREIGN PATENTS Australia Oct. 19,

